Ed Sanders

In the finger-snapping '50s of New York City's Greenwich Village, poet and general scenemaker Ed Sanders resided at the very nexus of the beatnik universe (which he recreates vividly, fondly and very humorously in his excellent story collection Tales Of Beatnik Glory, which was recently optioned to be made into a film). In those heady days of turtlenecks, berets and interestingly placed pauses, though, Sanders wasn't merely sipping espresso at Caf Reggio. He received poetry fellowships from the folks at the prestigious Guggenheim and the NEA, plus an American Book Award. He also, along with fellow downtown oddball Tuli Kupferberg, founded the cult favorite "poetic rock band" the Fugs, who recently released a CD compilation of its 1984-2004 output. Sanders is in town to record parts of his new poetry collection -- a sequence of verse looking at New Orleans from the 18th century up through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina -- at Piety Street Studios. This gig will include readings from that collection, as well as some of his experimental solo musical sounds on instruments he invented, which may or may not include his famous Talking Tie and Microlyre. Also on the bill is Rob Cambre's avant-jazz ensemble Anxious Sound, which will fit right in. Free admission. -- Alison Fensterstock